Rise of the Billionaire actress

“Where are we going?” Aaron sneered after what he described to be the most painful three minutes of his life.

“Fix your tone, boy.” Mr. Steele said, casually flipping through a newspaper. “I hear you’ve been busy lately.”

Aaron was baffled at the nerve of his father. “Apparently not busy enough to stop you from showing up in my life whenever you please.” He seethed, “Driver, stop the car.”

“Keep going.” The elder Steele instructed, as they continued the journey. “You’ve always been the impatient one. Seeing you don’t have time to see your father, I figured I’d come have lunch with you.”

“It’s so funny hearing you address me like that. Keep the theatrics for an audience, there’s no one here.” He snapped and his father laughed.

“I see myself in you. A younger version of myself. All that anger gave me the tenacity, but careful articulation gave me the wealth I have today. A combination you refuse to possess.”

“Glad I disappointed your expectations of me, I reckon Moses is filling that void perfectly. Can you let me go now?”

“I will. After we have lunch.”

Mr. Steele didn’t say another word after that. Despite Aaron’s more than vocal refusal to be anywhere close to him. After the longest twenty minutes drive, Aaron and his father walked into a high end restaurant where he booked lunch.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

“I’ll have my usual.” Mr Steele ordered, “What will you have?” He asked after the prolonged silence from Aaron’s end.

“Nothing.”

“He just ate so it’s fine.” His father played it off with a smile, and the waiter excused them.

“What was that about? You think putting on a show would disgrace me? I own this place, boy,”

Aaron smirked at his father’s words. He knew his father’s phobia for getting mud on his name. If there was one thing he knew about the man across from him, it was the fact he saved face and protected his name above all things.

Not even a son, talk less of an illegitimate one.

“I don’t have all day. What do you want?” Aaron returned to the focal point,

“Seeing you aren’t in the mood to get together, I’ll make this quick.” He said as they set up his meal. “Who is Deloise Tanner?”

Aaron was both shocked and mad. “I don’t answer to you.” He seethed, “You lost the right to ask me such questions a long time ago.”

“For as long as you have my blood running through your veins, you will always answer to me.” Mr Steele started, “Get rid of her and clean up the press or I’ll do it myself. And best believe, if I do it myself, a lot more things will be corrected than a measly whore looking to climb the ladder through you.”

The hatred and anger in his father’s voice was palpable. The last time he saw his father this angry was when he took on the decision to bear his granny’s name. His reaction to pursuing the dirty life of an actor, which he perfectly termed a public gigolo was a close second. It wasn’t news the grudge he held for his now booming career in the film industry.

All of which gave life to Aaron who thrived to do things backwards his intent or instruction. “Is that a threat?”

“More of an advice. Clean up your mess and do away with her. If you are looking to get serious with your life, the company is open to receive you. As long as you are ready to play by the rules.”

“Thanks but no thanks.” Aaron said as he got up. “I’ll be on my way.”

Without waiting for a response, he left the table leaving his father to enjoy his lunch alone. Mr Steele’s jaws tightened at the disrespect but maintained a calm disposition as he finished the rest of his meal alone.

Outside, Aaron flagged down a cab back to campus. During his ride, he couldn’t help but get amused at the effrontery of his father to seek him out on such grounds. His smirk turned wicked as he mapped out plans he believed would eventually make him cough blood.

This gave him yet another reason to be thankful to Deloise. With every intention to go against his father, he knew he was just getting started.

*****

Esther sat in her kitchen with the last batch of pastries in the oven. She was having dinner to celebrate her new contract, and invited both Daniel and Karen to dine with her. The decision wasn’t her best but with the growing nags from Karen for an opportunity to meet Daniel Greenwood, she decided to bite the bullet.

Other than Karen, Daniel also wanted to see her. With their growing friendship, she lost confidence in her ability to meet him alone. She postponed their meetings so much that he outrightly asked why she was avoiding him.

With this, she was able to kill both birds with one stone; and hopefully come out unscathed.

Esther dialed her daughter’s line, hoping to get a bit of mother-daughter time before the guests arrived, but unfortunately, it didn’t go through. She opted for a text instead, asking to call later.

As soon as the text was delivered, A knock came from the front door. The firmness of the knock told her it was Daniel’s. He was always in a hurry to get out of sight due to his public profile. Sometimes, she wondered how he was able to frequent her home without getting splashed in the news.

“Hey! Welcome.” She greeted as he walked through the door, and took up the entire space once the door was shut.

“Esther.” He called fondly, “Congratulations on your contract!”

A smile pitched on her face. “Thank you so much. I couldn’t have done it without your help the last time.” She casually replied, “Thank you.”

“Glad to know I helped get you there, but we both know you’ll be here anyways. Whether I drove or not.” He piped and she laughed.

“Why would you say that?”

“I have my reasons. The contract was made for you, they couldn’t have chosen anyone better. I just happened to be there at the right time.”

Daniel’s words caused her heart to flutter. He showed that part of him that made her long to do all the wrong things. Somehow, he always knew what to say, he was a perfect wordsmith and she was all about that.

You know the funny thing? He knew. He knew what a sucker she was for flowery words and somehow made it a natural charm in his wake. Just when the silence became too intimate, another knock came from the door.

Esther released a breath and fixed her face, knowing Karen would be coming any minute now. In no minute, the door flung open, revealing Karen

“Esther! Where are-” she stopped mid-shout as she came face-to-face with a composed Daniel.

“Hello.” He smiled, “I believe we’ve met.”

Karen cut him off with a hug. “Daniel Greenwood! Oh my goodness! You are real! I’m Karen, a very huge fan of yours,” She introduced herself, reached for his palm and shook in excitement.

Used to such reactions, Daniel reciprocated the energy. “Awesome. It’s always a delight meeting any one of my supporters. Thank you.”

“Can we all sit now? This is supposed to be my congratulatory dinner. Not his meet and greet.” Esther intervened, throwing daggers at Karen who was too busy to notice.

The thrio dug into their meal, discussing as long lost friends. Karen never seemed to shut up, she carried the conversation, eliciting responses from the duo and sometimes opinions.

“You know, I’ve always been on the fence about children from a young age. I believed they were too messy and when my little sister came along, I thought she stole all the love away and was sulking for way longer than normal.”

“How long?” Daniel asked, interested in her story.

“17 years. I held a grudge for my sister for 17 years and when I finally went to therapy, I discovered I wasn’t the least normal, at least not at the time.” She said to the shock of Esther and Daniel.

“Don’t look so startled. I’m a better person now, with one beautiful child. In Fact, two. De-”

“Karen! You have some grease on your clothes.” Esther said in urgency, giving her the look.

“No I don’t.” Karen answered after a glance at her outfit. “As I said, I have two daughters, one belonging to-”

“Karen!” Esther got to her feet. “You need a change of outfit. In my room, Now.”

Daniel looked between the women, calculating what could be wrong.

“I’m sorry. Just give us a few minutes. My friend here happens to be a messy eater.” Esther said and dragged her along with her towards the room.

Behind closed doors, Esther spoke in a hushed tone. “Do not mention our children. What’s gotten over you?”

“And why is that?”

“Because I don’t want a man knowing I got knocked up by someone who wasn’t responsible enough to stay.” She said and Karen withdrew.

“I’m sorry.”

“No problem. I know you are excited but please, let’s reduce the word vomit, okay?”

“Alright.”

The two walked out like nothing happened and the rest of the dinner went on without mishaps. Karen and Daniel were almost inseparable at the end of the night.

Esther didn’t know whether to laugh or cry about it.